Kevin M. McManus

Adjunct Faculty

Kevin M. McManus

About Me

Kevin M. McManus holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Penn State University, a graduate performer’s certificate from SUNY Purchase Conservatory, and a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University. His primary teachers include: Mark L. Lusk, Robert D. Hamrick, Matty Shiner, Jim Pugh, Dick Nash, Peter Sullivan, Murray Crewe, James Markey, Ronald W. Spang, Joe Dallas and Randy Purcell. McManus has performed on Broadway in New York City and completed two First National Tours of the shows Urinetown: The Musical and Little Women: The Broadway Musical. In the summer of 2009, McManus was a featured soloist in the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s production of Swing! McManus was also featured alongside Dick Nash, Bill Watrous, Bill Tole, George Roberts and Harry Betts at the 2009 NAMM show in Anaheim, Calif. He has performed with such artists as Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra Jr., Josh Groban, Clay Aiken, Wayne Newton, Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons, Aretha Franklin, Pattie LaBelle, Glen Campbell, Maureen McGovern, Isaac Hayes, Lou Rawls, Gloria Gaynor, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Don Rickles, Regis Philban, Joan Rivers and The Manhattan Transfer.

McManus has performed with the Pittsburgh and Wheeling (W. Va.) symphony orchestras and the River City and Reunion brass bands. McManus is the founder and leader of The Bone Forum, a jazz 10-trombone ensemble with rhythm section; The Collective Jazz Octet, a swingin’ eight-piece jazz ensemble; and The Pittsburgh Trombone Project, one of America’s premier chamber music ensembles. McManus can be seen internationally on PBS’s “My Music” and “American Soundtrack Series.” He has an active touring schedule and can frequently be heard across America with The Four Tops, The Temptations and The Latshaw Productions Pops Orchestra. In 2011, McManus gave the world premiere of Todd Goodman’s “Concert for Trombone and Piano.” The Goodman Concerto was written for McManus and has since won first prize in The British Trombone Society’s 2012 Concerto Competition. In 2013, a new trombone sonata, “The Storr of Trotternish,” was written for McManus by composer Dr. Daniel Perttu.

As a writer and arranger, McManus has written for many organizations including The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The McKeesport Symphony, The New Trombone Collective and Bo Wagner’s “Rat Pack.” McManus is currently on the faculties of Seton Hill University, Frostburg State University, Westminster College, Westmoreland County Community College, and The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, and has also served on the faculty of Waynesburg University. His extensive knowledge of ensemble playing, repertoire and rehearsal techniques for groups of all ages have brought McManus invitations to appear as guest conductor and clinician throughout America. McManus is proud to be a member of The Pittsburgh’s Musicians’ Union, Local 60-471, where he serves as a member of the Finance Advisory and Price List committees.